Accident Overview
On May 9, 2008, about 1730 mountain daylight time, a Maule M-5-235C, registration N9030E, operated by the pilot, veered off the runway and came to rest in a nose-down attitude at Zahn's Camp airstrip, approximately 18 miles northwest of Oljato, Utah. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Neither the private pilot nor the pilot-rated passenger was injured during the personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Page, Arizona, about 30 minutes before the accident.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that he and his friend intended to fly to the backcountry airstrip for sightseeing and camping. He overflew the airstrip to check for obstructions and potholes and to assess its condition. The airstrip appeared in good condition with no indications it had been closed. There are no facilities at the airstrip. During the overflight, the pilot observed bushes and opined that the wind was light and variable. No windsock is present.
According to the pilot, preflight preparations indicated that runway 06 was the preferred landing runway under existing conditions. He made a traffic pattern approach for landing. The approach was stabilized, with airspeed at 70 mph and 40 degrees of wing flaps extended. No crosswind was indicated, and the airplane touched down "slightly long." After touchdown, the pilot discovered that full braking was ineffective; the airplane was skidding in the dirt with locked wheels, and the runway was exhausted. The conventional gear airplane veered off the side of the runway near the end, went down an incline, and stopped with its propeller and right wing on the ground. The outboard portion of the right wing and horizontal stabilizer were bent. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction or failure.
Passenger Report
The pilot-rated passenger stated that during the low-altitude overflight, he observed nothing wrong with the airstrip that would preclude a normal landing. On final approach, no turbulence or obvious wind (headwind, tailwind, or crosswind) was encountered. Preflight planning noted the runway was short. The passenger reported that the airplane "floated" past the beginning of runway 06, touched down slightly long, bounced, then was firmly on the ground about midfield. Thereafter, deceleration was less than normal despite brake application. Upon exiting, the wind was light and variable.
Airstrip Information
The airstrip is not depicted on the Federal Aviation Administration's Denver Sectional Aeronautical Chart, which covers the accident site area. There are no roads, services, or facilities (windsock, buildings, etc.) at the airstrip. It is located in San Juan County, near the San Juan River arm of Lake Powell, within the Glen Canyon National Recreational Area in southeastern Utah. The boundary area is depicted on the chart as land administered by the National Park Service (NPS). The NPS district ranger reported that permission to land at the airstrip had not been requested or granted by the pilot, that the airstrip is not maintained, and has no markings. Federal regulation allows use in emergencies.
Preflight Planning
The pilot-rated passenger used a private publication, "Fly Utah!," for preflight planning and provided information to the pilot. According to the publication, Zahn's Camp airstrip, elevation 3,794 feet mean sea level, is 1,190 feet long and 30 feet wide. Its single, hard-packed sand runway is oriented on magnetic course 060/240 degrees. Landing on runway 06 (preferred) involves a 1.68 percent uphill slope. The publication includes a disclaimer stating the pilot must take sole responsibility for the runway's current status and that it should be used only with official U.S. government publications.
Post-Accident Notices
Following the accident, the Utah Back Country Pilots Association issued a statement on its website that Zahn's Camp airstrip is "NOT open to air operations." The publisher of "Fly Utah!" issued a "Critical Update" stating that Zahn's Camp is "closed until further notice. DO NOT USE."
Rescue
Immediately after the accident, the pilot and passenger exited the airplane. Fuel leaked from the right wing vent, but there was no fire. A GPS receiver and satellite cell phone were on board, used to notify authorities of their precise location, facilitating rescue.